Printing Apparatus Downstream Suction and Heating for Ink Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face issues with medium transport failure and drying unevenness due to the simultaneous suction of both ink ejection and drying portions, leading to increased load on transport mechanisms and potential contamination of undried ink images.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a medium support unit that includes a heater and a separate suction mechanism for drying, positioned downstream of the printing unit, to independently manage the medium's drying without affecting the ink ejection process, reducing the load on transport mechanisms and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suction holes are disposed on both the upstream side (ink ejection portion) and downstream side (drying portion) of the cut position, then the possibility of ink being ejected without being dried and undried images being contaminated is suppressed, but the load on the transport means becomes heavier and transport failure is likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The suction mechanism is divided into two independent parts: an upstream suction mechanism for the ink ejection portion and a downstream suction mechanism for the drying portion. This segmentation allows each suction mechanism to operate independently, preventing the need for simultaneous strong suction on both sides that would overload the transport means, while still achieving the goal of preventing ink contamination.
2Ease of operation
If the suction hole is disposed in the portion for drying the ink, then the medium is sucked in the drying portion, but the portion in contact with the suction hole is unlikely to be heated, causing drying unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The downstream support unit is designed with non-uniform heating characteristics: the portion containing the suction hole is intentionally made to be less heated compared to other portions. This local quality differentiation allows the suction hole to effectively suction the medium without interfering with the overall drying process, while the heated portions continue to provide necessary thermal energy for drying.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces the likelihood of medium transport failure and drying unevenness, ensuring stable printing with reduced load on transport mechanisms and improved image quality by maintaining the medium's uniform heating.
Implementation Method 1
a heater which heats the medium
Implementation Method 2
an opening portion which is communicated with a suction mechanism... the suction mechanism is driven so that the medium is sucked and supported by the medium support unit via the opening portion
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing unit that prints on a medium, and a downstream side support unit that is disposed on a downstream side in a transport direction of the medium with respect to the printing unit and includes a heater which heats the medium and suction holes which is communicated with suction mechanisms. In a case of cutting the medium, the suction mechanisms are driven so that the medium is sucked and supported by the downstream side support unit via the suction holes.